Identification & Construction
- Name: Rapid City
- Built: 1857 by Donaldson & Andrews, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Type: Wooden fishing or small commercial Schooner
- Dimensions: 136 × 23 × 11 ft; 344 tons burthen
- Homebase: Ontario (probably Toronto)
Final Voyage & Loss (Aug 31, 1917)
- On August 31, 1917, Rapid City Foundered near Scarborough Bluffs, Lake Ontario
- The sinking occurred during a severe “white squall”, quickly overwhelmed the vessel
- Master: Capt. Andrew Henderson (died in the incident) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Of the crew aboard, “some” were lost; others attempted escape
- Survivors were reportedly rescued by the propeller Colonist (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Operational Context
- Initially built for trans-Atlantic trade, Rapid City was more akin to deep-water schooners, but later served more local Great Lakes roles (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Owned by Rae Bros. & Co. of Hamilton, Ontario
Aftermath & Salvage Efforts
- Following her sinking, extensive salvage efforts in 1918 attempted recovery without success (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Total Loss estimated at approximately $20,000 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck Site & Dive Potential
- The wreck lies offshore near Scarborough Bluffs—likely at moderate depth
- The exact location , condition, and debris field remain uncharted; no formal dive or survey expeditions have been recorded
Archival Gaps & Research Suggestions
| Research Focus | Recommended Actions |
|---|---|
| Crew & survivors | Search Ontario newspapers (e.g., Globe and Mail, Toronto Star) early September 1917 for survivor accounts and casualty lists |
| Marine accident reports | Review Department of Marine/Toronto Harbor Board incident logs for formal investigation records |
| Salvage documentation | Consult Hamilton and Toronto harbor archives for plans or contracts related to the 1918 recovery efforts |
| Remote-sensing surveys | Conduct sonar scans near Scarborough Bluffs targeting mid-depth zones (approx. 50–100 ft) for potential wreckage site |
Conclusion
The Rapid City was a wooden Schooner originally built for ocean-going service whose career ended abruptly on August 31, 1917, when a sudden squall capsized her off Scarborough Bluffs, killing Captain Andrew Henderson and some crew. Though survivors were plucked from the water by the Colonist, the vessel was a total economic loss with unsuccessful salvage attempts. Today, Rapid City lies submerged offshore, potentially accessible for underwater archaeological investigation pending modern survey.